Anti-tip device



Sept. 29, 1964 D. E. PAYTON ETAL 0,

ANTI-TIP DEVICE Filed March 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS DON E. PAYTON &. WESLEY s. PATT\SON THE\R ATTORNEY P 1964 D. E. PAYTON ETAL 3,150,905

ANTI-TIP DEVICE Filed March 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'IG.3

F'iG. 4-

INVENTORS DON PAYTON ZWESLEY s. PAT'HSON THE\R ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,150,905 ANTI-TIP DEVICE Don E. Payton and Wesley S. Pattison, Louisville, Ky., msignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 265,739 8 Claims. (6!. 312-276) This invention relates to a means for preventing accidental tip-over of a free-standing structure such as, for example, a portable home appliance.

Many free-standing structures, particularly in the field of home appliances, are provided with access openings in a side wall and a closure member, or door, for the access opening. Most often the door is hinged at its bottom edge and pivots substantially 90 to an essentially horizontal open position. When in the open position, the door may be at a height from several inches to a foot above floor level. This height makes it possible for even a small child to climb or sit upon the door. The weight of the child may be sufficient to shift the center of gravity of the appliance to a degree whereupon the structure will tip over. This obviously could result in damage to the appliance and, more importantly, serious injury to the child. Tip-over may also be caused by setting upon the open door objects which are to be eventually inserted into the appliance. The problem of tip-over is not limited to an arrangement wherein the door opens to a horizontal position since a child may attempt to swing on a vertically-hinged door. The problem of tip-over could be overcome by securing the ap pliance to the floor or other solid structure; however, there are many occasions when it is either impossible or undesirable to secure the appliance in such a manner. For example, one would not want to secure a portable appliance in such a manner since this would defeat its portability. Tip-over could also be minimized by extending outrigging from the cabinet; however, this would result in excessive consumption of floor space when the appliance is not in use and would present an unattractive appearance. It therefore would be desirable to provide, in a free-standing or portable structure having a door in its side wall, anti-tip means to prevent tip-over of the structure without excessive consumption of floor space when the machine is not in use.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an anti-tip device for a free-standing structure.

t is another object of this invention to provide an antitip device for a free-standing structure which does not consume unnecessary floor space when not in use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an anti-tip device particularly adapted for use with a free standing structure having a closure member.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an anti-tip device for a free-standing structure having a closure member which operates automatically upon opening of the closure member.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, we provide a cabinet structure with a door swingable from a closed position to an open position. An arm or similar suitable member is connected to the door so as to be moved as the door is opened and closed. An anti-tip arm is mounted on the cabinet and connected with the arm so as to be moved to an extended anti-tip position with respect to the cabinet when the door is opened and is retracted from that position when the door is closed.

In one specific embodiment of this invention the door swings from a vertical closed position to a horizontal open position and here a pair of hinge arms are carried by the door to extend into the cabinet when the door is closed and swing partially out of the cabinet as the door 3,150,905 Patented Sept. 29, 1954 is opened. A pair of anti-tip arms are pivotally mounted on the cabinet below the door and each is interconnected with one hingle arm by means of a cable. As the door is opened, the hinge arms pull the cables which exert a force on the anti-tip arms and pivot them into a tip preventing position. If an external load is applied to the open door tending to tip the cabinet, the anti-tip arms will contact the floor and terminate the tipping movement. Spring means are provided to serve as a counterbalance for ease in closing the door and as a retraction means for the anti-tip arms.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View, partially cut away to show details, of a free-standing cabinet structure incorporating the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top sectional view showing the structure of FIGURE 1 with the door closed and the anti-tip arms retracted;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 with the door open and the anti-tip arms extended; and

FIGURE 4 is a partial side view of the structure illusttrated in FIGURE 1 with the anti-tip arms extended.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a portable dishwasher 16 having an outer cabinet 11 provided with a closure member or door 12 in one side Wall thereof. It should be noted at the outset that the present invention is not limited in its application to a dishwasher but, as pointed out above, may be employed with any free-standing or portable cabinet structure. The application of the present invention in a portable dishwasher is for purposes of illustration only.

Disposed within the cabinet 11 are dish racks 13 and 14 and water spray apparatus 15. The dish racks 13 and 14 and the water spray apparatus 15 may be conventional in form and, since they do not form a material part of the present invention, their structure and function will not be discussed in detail.

The door 12 is pivotal about a hinge mechanism 16 near its bottom edge. A hinge arm 17 is secured to the door 12 and pivots about hinge mechanism 16 with the door 12. The hinge arm 17 is generally arcuate in shape and is provided with a stop surface 18 which engages a stationary portion of the cabinet structure to limit the pivoting movement of the door 12 as the door reaches it full open position. A spring 19 is attached to the hinge arm 1'7 at one end and, at the other end, is attached to a bracket 20 secured to the cabinet structure. The spring 19 serves as a counterbalance to facilitate closure of the door 12.

As best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, door 12 is provided with a second hinge mechanism having a hinge arm 21 similar to hinge arm 17 described above. A spring 22 interconnects hinge arm 21 and bracket 23, which is secured to the cabinet structure, and serves a function identical to that of spring 19.

In accordance with the invention, we provide a means to prevent tip-over of the cabinet structure which is automatically operative upon opening of the door 12. Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3, there are provided a pair of anti-tip arms 24 and 25 which, when in the position shown in FIGURE 3, serve to prevent tip-over of the cabinet structure. Anti-tip arm 24 is pivotally supported by a pin 26 associated with a bracket 27 which in turn is directly supported by the cabinet structure. Antitip arm 25 is similarly supported by pin 28 and bracket 2h. Extending from the inner surface of anti-tip arm 24, and essentially normal to the anti-tip arm, is a lever 30. Lever 30 may be formed integral with anti-tip arm 24 or may be suitably secured thereto by such means as riveting or Welding. A lever 31 is similarly associated with anti-tip arm 25.

One end of a cable 32 is secured to lever 30 near the free end thereof. The cable 32 passes over a pulley 33 which is rotatably supported by a portion 34 of the cabinet structure. Cable 32 also passes over a pulley 35 which is rotatably supported by a tab 35 bent out from the cabinet structure. The terminal end of cable 32 is attached to hinge arm 21. A second cable 37 is similarly secured to lever 31 and passes over pulley 38 which is rotatably supported by a portion 34 of the cabinet structure. 37 extends from pulley 38 to a pulley 39 which is rotatably supported by tab 40, bent out from the cabinet structure. The terminal end of cable 37 is secured to hinge arm 17. With the above-described arrangement, as the door 12 is opened, hinge arm 17 and 21 pivot about their respective hinge mechanisms with the door. As hinge arm 17 pivots, cable 37 travels over pulleys 38 and 39 and exerts a force on lever 31. As a result, lever 31 rotates about pin 28 thereby pivoting anti-tip arm 25 outwardly away from the cabinet 11 to the tip-preventing position shown in FIGURE 3. Similarly, hinge arm 21 pivots in response to the opening of door 12 pulling cable 32 over pulleys 33 and 35 which exerts a force on lever 36. In response to this force, lever 30 rotates about pin 26 thereby pivoting anti-tip arm 24 outwardly away from the cabinet 11 to the tip-preventing position shown in FIGURE 3. With the anti-tip arms 24 and 25 in the position shown in FIGURE 3, any tendency of the cabinet 11 to tip forward due to an external load placed upon the open door 12, will be overcome by the engagement of the anti-tip arms 24 and 25 with the floor upon which the cabinet is standing.

A spring is secured at one end to lever 36 and, at the other end, is suitably secured to a stationary portion of the cabinet structure. A spring 42 is similarly associated with lever 31. Each of these springs 41 and 42 bias its respective lever and anti-tip arm to the retracted position as shown in FIGURE 2. As the door 12 is closing, springs 19 and 22 provide a counterbalance effect to overcome the weight of door 12 and thereby make it easier to close. Springs 41 and 42 pull anti-tip arms 24- and 25 into the retracted position as the tension on cables 32 and 37 is relaxed due to the closing of door 12 and the resulting pivoting of hinge arms 17 and 21 into the cabinet structure.

If so desired, springs 19 and 22 may be omitted and springs 41 and 42 may be employed to serve as counterbalance means for the door 12. A counterbalance effect would naturally occur since the forces exerted by springs 41 and 42 are transferred, via their respective cable means,

to the hinge arms 17 and 21. A further modification of the present invention could include spacing the tops of brackets 27 and 2% from the cabinet structure so that, as the anti-tip arms 24- and 25 pivot outwardly, their free ends will traveldownwardly to assure positive contact with the floor. If such modification is made, it would be desirable to provide adjustable screws or feet at the free ends of the anti-tip arms 24 and 25 to compensate for irregularities in the floor surface.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certainaspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various and other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Cable What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

' 1. A freestanding structure comprising: (a) ,a cabinet, 7

(b) a closure member in one side wall of said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(0) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet for movement to a tip-preventing position, and

(d) means interconnecting said anti-tip arm with said closure member to move said anti-tip arm into tippreventing position upon opening of said closure member.

2. A free-standing structure comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(b) a closure member for said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(c) an anti-tip arm carried by the cabinet for movement to a tip-preventing position, and

(d) a cable interconnecting said anti-tip arm with said closure member to move said anti-tip arm into tippreventing position upon opening of said closure member.

3. A free-standing structure comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(b) a door in said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(c) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet for pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane from a retracted position to a tip-preventing position,

(d) means interconnecting said anti-tip arm and said door to pivot said anti-tip arm into tip-preventing position upon opening of said door, and v (e) spring means biasing said anti-tip arm toward its retracted position.

4. A free-standing structure comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(b) a door in said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(0) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet below said door for pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane from a retracted position to a tip-preventing position,

(d) a hinge arm carried by said door,

(6) means interconnecting said anti-tip arm and said hinge arm to pivot said anti-tip arm into tip-preventing position upon opening of said door, and

(f) spring means biasing said anti-tip arm toward its retracted position.

5. A free-standing structure comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(1')) a door in one side wall of said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(0) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet below said door for pivotal movement from a retracted position to a tip-preventing position,

(d) a hinge arm carried by said door,

(a) a lever secured to said anti-tip arm and extending into said cabinet when said anti-tip arm is in its retracted position, i

(1) means interconnecting said lever with said hinge arm to pivot said lever and said anti-tip arm into tippreventing position upon opening of said door, and

(g) spring means biasing said anti-tip arm toward its retracted position.

6. A portable dishwasher comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(1)) a door in said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(0) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet below said door for pivotal movement from a retracted position :to a tip-preventing position, '7 i (d) a hinge arm carried by said door,

(e) spring means interconnecting said hinge arm and:

said cabinet to bias said door toward its closed position,

(f) a lever secured to said anti-tip arm and extending into said cabinet Whensaid' anti-tip arm is in its retracted position, i

(g) a cable interconnecting said lever and said hinge arm to pivot said lever and said anti-tip arm into tip-preventing position upon opening of said door, and

(/1) spring means biasing said anti-tip arm toward its retracted position.

7. A free-standing structure comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(11) a closure member for said cabinet movable from a closed position to an open position,

(0) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet solely adjacent the bottom of said cabinet for movement to a tip-preventing position, and

(d) means interconnecting said anti-tip arm With said closure member to move said anti-tip arm into tip- 1 preventing poistion upon opening of said closure member.

8. A free-standing structure comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(b) a closure member for said cabinet movable from a substantially vertical closed position to a substantially horizontal open position,

(c) an anti-tip arm carried by said cabinet for movement to a tip-preventing position, and

(0!) means interconnecting said anti-tip arm with said closure member to move said anti-tip arm into tippreventing position upon opening of said closure member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,027,498 Sperlich Jan. 14, 1936 

1. A FREE-STANDING STRUCTURE COMPRISING: (A) A CABINET, (B) A CLOSURE MEMBER IN ONE SIDE WALL OF SAID CABINET MOVABLE FROM A CLOSED POSITION TO AN OPEN POSITION, (C) AN ANTI-TIP ARM CARRIED BY SAID CABINET FOR MOVEMENT TO A TIP-PREVENTING POSITION, AND (D) MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID ANTI-TIP ARM WITH SAID CLOSURE MEMBER TO MOVE SAID ANTI-TIP ARM INTO TIPPREVENTING POSITION UPON OPENING OF SAID CLOSURE MEMBER. 